Is it OK to feed a feral cat?
Don’t feed and forget feral cats. Feeding feral and stray cats is generous, but they need health care as well. If you can’t manage ongoing care, “at the very least, get the cat neutered,” suggests Case.
Why is it bad to feed feral cats?
Many people who encounter feral cats start feeding them, but feeding alone can actually make the situation worse. Feeding ferals increases their ability to give birth to even more kittens who are destined to suffer and die premature deaths.
How often should you feed a feral cat?
Feed once a day, be it in the morning or evening. Ideally, it’s best to leave the food down for about 30 minutes or an hour, let the cats eat each in their own turn, and then to pick the food bowls up for the night so the remaining food doesn’t attract wildlife.
What should I feed a feral cat?
All cats need meat in their diet! Protein is the most important nutrient for a cat and should make up at least 26% of its diet (30% for kittens). That protein should come from quality animal sources like meat, poultry, fish, and eggs.
How often should feral cats be fed?
A minimum of three times a day for adults, four if you can manage it, and at least four times a day for kittens. Three times a day is easy to do if you feed shortly after you rise in the morning, immediately after you arrive home from work, and last thing before you retire for the night.
What is the best cat food for feral cats?
A feral cat is going to be on the move in the wild and much more active than a regular cat. That means that it will require more calories and, importantly, more protein. The best food to give a feral would be a dry cat food that is designed with lots of protein.
What should we do with feral cats?
With feral cats, you can’t adopt them, because usually they are not too social, and they tend to not really trust humans period. If you see a feral cat, leave them alone, and let them live their life. Sometimes, they usually see a human, and they run away, but sometimes, they like to have some contact with humans.
Should you feed stray or feral cats?
You should feed stray cats during the day and avoid feeding or leaving food out in the open after dusk. By doing so, you will avoid attracting wild animals and insects that can spread diseases or ultimately steal the food from the cats and leave them without a meal once again.